Michael Vaughan reacts to Usman Khawaja's claims on ball-tampering scandal
Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticised the reopening of the 2018 Sandpapergate controversy following new claims in an autobiography.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has reacted sarcastically to claims by Usman Khawaja regarding Australia's 2018 ball-tampering scandal. According to the Times of India, Khawaja has suggested that discussions about tampering with the ball were more widespread during the tour of South Africa than previously established.
In his upcoming autobiography, the former Australian batter claimed that conversations about using sandpaper to rough up the ball were open and lighthearted. Khawaja stated that the awareness of the subject extended beyond the batters, bowlers, or coaching staff, saying, "It was all of us."
Vaughan posted on X that the revelations merely confirmed what many had suspected and questioned why the matter was being revisited eight years later. He suggested that the information was not a secret and called for the matter to be moved on from.
The original controversy occurred during the third Test in Cape Town in March 2018, when Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper. A Cricket Australia investigation concluded that prior knowledge of the plan was limited to Bancroft, Steve Smith, and David Warner.
Cricket Australia has stood by its original investigation, stating that all relevant information was considered. The governing body maintained that individuals still had the opportunity to provide additional information.
Australia captain Pat Cummins had previously downplayed suggestions that the autobiography would cause further fallout from the scandal. South Africa recently won a three-match Test series against Australia 2-1.